MINDEN, LA.  The historic families of Minden, LA still talk about the more than 15,000 Confederate troops that were quartered at nearby Camp Magruder. Close to the historic Red River naval battles, the town was in a pivotal spot. Recently, when one of those families decided to move, an appraisal surfaced a Red River campaign painting.

The oil on canvas depicts Confederate and Union ships firing on one another while a lifeboat of survivors escape a sinking ship. It will be sold at theEstate Sale that begins January 25. The preview and sale will be held in the historic Minden, LA house. More than 180 more period antiques, period portraits, Chinese import porcelain, antique lighting and sterling silver and a collection of clocks will also be sold. Among the mid-20th century paintings is a water color by artist John Hulse.

The Minden Historic House Estate Sale is being conducted by David J. Goldberg, President of the New Orleans based Appraisal Group.

In good condition are two colonial era portraits. One is a woman in cap, holding a prayer book. The other, a prosperous looking man. Both are housed in gilt frames. The sitters are reputed to be the forefathers of the current owners of the Minden house.

Among the rarities is a c. 1870 Gothic Revival bedstead by New York City makers Pottier and Stymus. The headboard, which features a broken arch pediment surmounted by an elaborately carved cartouche, rises regally to six feet or more. The footboard also rises in an arched pediment.

Another period piece is an oak roll-top desk with fitted interior of 28 drawers above eight drawers.

Other highlights include a Hanson tubular grandfather clock with arched pediment, polychrome rolling moon face, and a brass and silver dial. The three chiming tubes are set behind a glass door embellished with decorative wood.

Two exceptional French mantle clocks of white marble, circa 1850, are also destined for sale, as is a black marble French mantle clock, and an 1876 Seth Thomas calendar clock,

Among the silver is a thirty-five piece boxed set,  twelve matched Tiffany sterling silver-handled knives,  Gorham sterling flatware with the anchor mark, a set of twelve mother-of-pearl handled knives and twenty-two pieces of sterling silver hollow ware.

Six Royal Vienna demitasse teacups and saucers, Napoleon and Josephine plates, green Venetian glass vases, Murano glass compotes, a Royal Albert creamer and sugar set, and a French porcelain dessert set will also be sold.

Lighting includes an important bronze 18-arm chandelier, crystal candlesticks, a brass oil lamp and a wrought iron floor lamp, as well as crystal sconces and a pair of submarine lights.

A collection of North Carolina pottery, several lots of Imari china, an alabaster bust on a stand are representative of the range of items in the Minden Historic House Estate Sale.

Vintage items include a Coca-Cola cooler, probably from the 1950s when Coke had a strong presence in Minden. 

The Minden Historic House Estate sale takes place the weekend before Super Bowl, on at the Historic House in Minden, LA, just hours north of New Orleans. The dates are Friday, January 25, Saturday, January 26 and Sunday, January 27.

Condition reports and a complete list of the items in the sale can be obtained from David J. Goldberg, mortongoldberg@cox.net or 504-282-7611.  Items from the sale can be viewed by at www.estatesalelouisiana.wordpress.com.